I would use until then.Until, in sentences like the kidnappers have given us until October 11th to deliver the documents means up to.

Looking at the Corpus of Contemporary English to see how much frequently the phrases until then, up until then, up until that time, and until that time are used, I get these data (the frequency is given in per million):

Yes, I thought of previously just after asking the question. Or maybe before that. It's not for a CV, but I think you're suggestion of completely rewording it is probably the best.
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BenjolFeb 11 '11 at 9:46